2019 Tesla Model 3 Problems & Complaints

Most common 2019 Tesla Model 3 problems

• Driver assistance~28,000 miles
  21935%
• Electrical system~14,000 miles
  9115%
• Air bags~10,000 miles
  8814%
• Suspension~10,000 miles
  8213%
• Other / not specified~8,000 miles
  8113%
• Speed control & acceleration~5,000 miles
  7111%
• Brakes~16,000 miles
  6310%
• Seat belts~9,000 miles
  579%
• Steering~10,000 miles
  539%
• Seats~66,000 miles
  478%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~13,000 miles
  345%
• Body & structure~4,000 miles
  234%
• Transmission & drivetrain~6,000 miles
  102%
• Fuel & propulsion system~4,000 miles
  81%
• Wheels & tires~7,000 miles
  71%
• Lights
  61%
• Stability & traction control~3,000 miles
  41%
• Engine & cooling~20,000 miles
  20%
• A/C & heater~78,000 miles
  20%
• Equipment & accessories
  10%
• Locks & latches~24,000 miles
  10%

Share of the 619 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Tesla Model 3 complaints by model year

Best Model 3 years: 2020. Years to avoid: 2022, 2023, 2021, 2024. Compare all years →

2019 Tesla Model 3 recalls (22)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 14 possible defects involving the 2019 Tesla Model 3:

What 2019 Tesla Model 3 owners say

Driver assistance all 219 →

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while his partner was driving at approximately 60 MPH in inclement weather, the lane departure feature malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to hydroplane and crash into the median. No air bags were deployed. The contact's partner sustained a sore neck and back; however, medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

On June 6th, 2021, we were driving home in our 2019 Tesla Model 3. We were at the intersection of 7th Street and 36th Avenue in Moline, Illinois. We were stopped on 36th Avenue heading east trying to turn north onto 7th street. We were stopped behind another vehicle when our Tesla started creeping slowly forward toward the vehicle in front of us. My wife, who was driving, stepped on the brake. But instead of stopping, the Tesla suddenly accelerated, careening off the car in front of us and then heading into the intersection at full speed. My wife was able to avoid hitting two vehicles on 7th Street in the intersection, but then hit a steel stoplight pole across the intersection. The right front passenger tire was torn off the Tesla and the airbags deployed. No one was hurt. But we damaged two other vehicles and totaled our Tesla. …

Electrical system all 91 →

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that his wife was driving approximately 30-40 MPH at night with Full Self-Driving(FSD) mode engaged. The contact stated that the driver was exiting the highway to merge onto another highway that would close intermittently. The contact stated that the driver briefly looked at the navigation screen, and the vehicle suddenly crashed into the first highway closure gate, and the windshield shattered. The vehicle then crashed into a second highway closure gate. The contact stated that the Full Self-Driving(FSD) mode failed to operate as needed to prevent the collisions. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the highway, and there was no oncoming traffic. The contact's daughter was occupying the front passenger's side seat during the incident. …

The contact owned a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at 57 MPH during rainy weather conditions, when hitting a puddle the vehicle then drastically slowed down and fishtailed veering to the left. As a result, the contact crashed into the divider. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a AAA center where it was confirmed a total loss. The contact mentioned that the failure could be related to Phantom Braking. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,140. It was determined that there was no phantom braking at the time of the accident. Consumer stated he would like to withdraw the complaint.

Air bags all 88 →

On September 22, 2026, my 2019 Tesla Model 3 was involved in a very low-speed front collision. The Tesla Vehicle Data Report records the front collision event at approximately 23:21:26.933 and shows vehicle speed of approximately 2-3 mph at the time of the recorded collision. Despite the extremely low recorded vehicle speed, the vehicle's airbags deployed. The airbag deployment caused an eyebrow/facial laceration that required six stitches and medical treatment. The Tesla vehicle data also shows an accelerator pedal position of approximately 70-75% around the collision event, while brake pressure was essentially zero at the recorded collision timestamp. Significant braking appears in the data after the collision event. I am concerned that the restraint system may have deployed the airbags during an unusually low-speed collision. …

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the Front Passenger Restraint System Fault message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the front passenger's side seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

2019 Tesla Model 3 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.